Lovely Days of Summer

Well, summer is finally here, and how I love it! Sarah finished 1st grade! Shane, though he enjoyed preschool, is excited to be out for the summer and to stay home with Mommy and Daddy. Staying home, however, tends to not happen all too often. In January, my 3-4 week long-term sub job teaching 4th grade Language Arts ended up lasting 19 WEEKS! It was longer than I expected, but it was fun. Overall, the family handled it much better than my return to work full time the year before. I already have a 1st grade job lined up for a few weeks this fall.

The extra money helped to buy Steve's COWBOY tickets for the upcoming season and to beef back up our short-term savings account...and we will all enjoy our trip to San Diego this summer. Shane is so excited about going to Legoland. He carries the map around. We often "read" the map for storytime. Last weekend, we went to the 1st concert in the new stadium --- (Reba McIntire and george Strait). It is beautiful. I was really hoping that there would be adequate ladies' bathrooms, but alas, maybe in heaven. ;)

After a busy spring full of softball and blastball, we are opening the summer with Girl Scout "Get Buggy with It" Day Camp and nights spent at the pool. Shane is enjoying his mornings with Grandy. Hoping for a day soon when we will get to sleep in and hide away the "alarm". We'll see...

Zucchini Bread

My dad dropped off a few veggies from his garden this past weekend when he came to help Steve replace our hail-damaged shed. I decided to use the zucchini to make some bread. Anything to procrastinate cleaning the house, right?

I got this recipe from a military friend during pilot training. Wow, that was ages ago, 10+ years. Wonderful recipe!! Thanks for sharing Cindy!!

3 cups flour (I use sneaky chef mixture--one white, one whole-wheat, one wheat germ)
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp soda
3 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking powder


3 eggs
3/4 cup oil (I use applesauce)
2 cup sugar
2 cups grated zucchini (2 -3 med-sized, or 1 big one)
3 tsp vanilla

Mix all dry ingredients, except sugar together with a fork, set aside.

Beat eggs until foamy, add oil, sugar, zucchini, and vanilla. Mix lightly, but well. Slowly add all dry ingredients. Divide intp greased and floured loaf pans.

Bake 350 for about an hour. Makes 2 big loaves, or 4 small. (Muffins bake in less time**)

Once baked, these freeze well. :)